Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

OSHC covers the cost for out-of-hospital and some hospital medical treatment, pharmaceuticals and emergency ambulance services.

Requirements

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) requires applicants for a student visa to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in place for the duration of their visa. Most students from Belgium, Sweden and Norway are exempted; the Australian Department of Health website has more detail on OSHC exemptions.

Unacceptable health insurance that is not approved by the Australian Department of Health will not satisfy the criteria for getting a student visa.

Reciprocal arrangements

Australia has reciprocal health care arrangements with a number of countries, including Great Britain, Finland, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Malta and the Netherlands. Visitors from these countries are entitled to limited subsidised health services.